1 of 19

Connecting ESSA to School Libraries

CSLA 2017 Annual Conference

Santa Rosa, California

2 of 19

http://essa.aasl.org

3 of 19

Meaningful Messaging

4 of 19

ESSA Key Messages

Title I- Improving basic programs operated by state and local educational agencies.

Message: School librarians and access to effective school library programs, impact student achievement, digital literacy skills, and school climate/culture.

5 of 19

ESSA Key Messages

Title II- Supporting effective instruction

Part A message: School librarians share their learning with other professionals when they attend conferences and workshops, applying the benefits of new techniques, strategies, and technologies to the entire district.

6 of 19

ESSA Key Messages

Title II, Part B, Subpart 1

Message: School librarians are uniquely suited to lead the effort in applying for competitive grants because of their expertise and access to strong professional learning networks.

Literacy education for all, results for the nation (LEARN)
Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL)

7 of 19

ESSA Key Messages

Title IV, Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (SSAE Block Grants)

Message: School librarians increase access to personalized, rigorous learning experiences supported by technology, allowing equitable resources for all students.*

*This new grant program in ESSA focuses on safe and healthy students, and how technology can be integrated into schools to improve teaching and learning, in addition to emphasizing access to a well-rounded education that includes a wide variety of disciplines – such as music, the arts, social studies, environmental education, computer science and civics.

8 of 19

Terms Used in ESSA

Specialized instructional support staff
Digital literacy skills
Academic achievement
Personalized, rigorous learning experiences
Adequate access to school libraries
Use technology effectively
Effective integration of technology
Improve instruction and student achievement

9 of 19

Elevator Speech:

4 pieces

The message�
The Story & Key Data�
The Ask�
The Elevator Speech

10 of 19

ESSA Elevator Speech

Reminders:

The intention is to educate not humiliate.
What you do is important, so sound important.
Practice
You can start the conversation.

Reminders:

The intention is to educate not humiliate. You want to get the key words that ESSA uses into your responses but treat this cab drive as you would a patron who asks a question that may seem obvious to you. Also, stay away from library lingo- “a library program” sounds like a read aloud not everything that encompasses your library activities, strategic plan and mission. Often library lingo actually works against the message being received.
Yes, access to information and equitable resources is very important, but look at the message card and translate into a simple, important message. “School librarians are often the single person in a school that can see the information needs of the entire student body and classroom teachers, and connect those needs to the necessary resources.”
It may sound silly the more you articulate your “chat” and fine-tune your key points the more impactful each new encounter will be.
Don’t wait for the opportunity, think of conversation starters that will lead you down the path to your topic.

11 of 19

Elevator Speech Development

Step One: Make the connection from ESSA language to AASL’s school library talking points to your school library program.�

Step Two: Practice�

Step Three: Fine Tuning�

Step Four: Practice Again

12 of 19

Terms Used in ESSA

Specialized instructional support staff
Digital literacy skills
Academic achievement
Personalized, rigorous learning experiences
Adequate access to school libraries
Use technology effectively
Effective integration of technology
Improve instruction and student achievement

13 of 19

Elevator Speech Development

Step One: Make the connection from ESSA language to AASL’s school library talking points to your school library program.�

Step Two: Practice�

Step Three: Fine Tuning�

Step Four: Practice Again

14 of 19

Elevator Speech Development

Step One: Make the connection from ESSA language to AASL’s school library talking points to your school library program.�

Step Two: Practice�

Step Three: Fine Tuning�

Step Four: Practice Again

Step Three: Fine Tuning

Take a few minutes to discuss each other’s talking points. Was the message clear? Could you picture the experience they were providing as an example? If you were someone with no connection to school libraries would the message compel you to re-think the role of the school library in today’s world?

It’s very easy to “preach to the choir” so critically consider the wording that’s being used. For instance, someone may be not understand a circulation statistic- but someone would understand the need for a fully funded program so that students can access books for pleasure reading at any time, and connect the technology role of the school librarian- it’s not just about have books on shelves, which is important, but you also curate e-books. This is a message that make a connection instead of discussing the high volume of circulation in your library.

Take __ minutes

15 of 19

Elevator Speech Development

Step One: Make the connection from ESSA language to AASL’s school library talking points to your school library program.�

Step Two: Practice�

Step Three: Fine Tuning�

Step Four: Practice Again

Step Four- Practice Again

Think about those times in your life when you’ve had to speak about something important- a presentation, a serious conversation with your supervisor, perhaps a difficult conversation with a parent- you didn’t jot down a few notes and then forget about it until that time came to talk. At the very least you ran through the conversation in your head several times.

You could find yourself in a situation in which you have one chance to make a last impression on a key decision maker- be prepared. On your ride to/from work practice the conversation. Take one message point per day and practice in the mirror. Each message will take less than a minute to practice and that is time well spent when your strong message ensures the valuable place school librarians and school libraries will continue to play in today’s education.

16 of 19

Additional Worksheet

17 of 19

Padlet

Share your voice on why school libraries matter:

bit.ly/cslapadlet

18 of 19

ESSA Forums

http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/es/policyfactsheets.asp

http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/es/evidence.asp

join-essa@mlist.cde.ca.gov

19 of 19

Stand Up for Students

standup4students.org